Jewelry On Etsy JET Team Handmade Jewelry Artists

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Thursday, February 25, 2016

Book Review

Review of Mixed Metals Mania

With
mixed metal works among the hottest trends going in today's jewelry design, I’m
sharing thoughts on one of my all time favorite how-to books, which was
recommended to me by a super talented jewelry making friend.

Mixed Metal Mania is aptly titled, especially for the
metalwork maniacs among us, but also for other designers, connoisseurs, wearers
and collectors of handcrafted artisan jewelry. Subtitled “Solder, rivet,
hammer, and wire exceptional jewelry," Kim St. Jean’s book never fails to
instruct, entertain, inspire and delight.

After
a Foreward and Introduction, discussions of Tools, from the unconventional
(think clothespin, paper cutter, chicken feeder) to the basic, and a studio
tool checklist, St. Jean treats us to a survey of Basic Techniques - from cold
connections and sawing to soldering and fold forming, from making holes and
finishing to making findings - along with some helpful tips of her own.

St.
Jean explores her subject in four chapters. Beautifully illustrated throughout
with color photos and well written, unpretentious explanations and
instructions, each chapter presents a step-by-step tutorials for a number of
specific projects.